Clothes having a waist portion

ABSTRACT

An object of the present invention is to provide clothes that are capable of adjusting the body shape with wearing of the clothes without a strong pressing force to the abdomen and further modifying the body shape itself gradually. The clothes has a waist provided with a body front side fabric consisting of a single ply piece of waist front side fabric and a single ply piece of abdomen fabric and a body back side fabric consisting of a single ply piece of waist back side fabric and a single ply piece of lower back fabric, including a function in which the horizontal contraction distance of the body front side fabric is longer than that of the body back side fabric, with wearing of the clothes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to clothes having a waist portion, more specifically clothes in which a condition for allowing the same mechanism to work as that adjusting the shape of the wearer's abdomen after childbirth is adopted.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, there is a great need for making our body shape, especially waist look beautiful. In order to meet such a need, the clothes having a waist portion, especially clothes to be worn tightly around the body, which is provided with a function to suppress abdominal expansion caused by loose abdomen, especially lower abdomen and make the wearer look more beautiful, are widely used.

However, strongly pressing the abdomen or excessively tightening the waist in order to suppress the expansion causes the wearer to feel discomfort and pain, which is not preferable. In addition, the effect is produced only when wearing of the clothes. Some of the clothes having a waist portion, especially clothes to be worn tightly around the body have been proposed, which can adjust the shape of the wearer's abdomen and do not strongly press the abdomen or excessively tighten the waist (e.g. see PTL 1.)

As shown in FIG. 14, PTL1 has proposed the girdle that is capable of pulling up the lower abdomen obliquely upwardly by contractile force obliquely upward on stretchable abdomen lining fabrics 21 and 22 sewn to a stretchable clothing body top fabric when putting on and keeping this status by a stronger pressing force after putting on so as to adjust and maintain the shape of the abdomen to look beautiful.

In the conventional clothes having a waist portion including the above-mentioned function, it has been considered important that a means for adjusting the shape of the apparently expanded abdomen presses the abdomen with wearing of the clothes. Accordingly, a function to press all or a part of the abdomen efficiently has been proposed. For meeting the need for adjusting the shape of the expanded abdomen and looking beautiful with wearing of the clothes, a force to press (hereinafter referred to as “pressing force”) the abdomen appropriately is required to be provided. Sometimes, a pressing force necessary for adjusting the shape of the wearer's expanded abdomen strongly presses the muscle of the abdomen and internal organs, thereby causing the wearer feel discomfort and pain. In addition, the body shape is returned when the clothes are taken off.

Therefore, it is not easy to meet a condition for being able to adjust the shape of the wearer's abdomen without strongly pressing the abdomen or excessively tightening the waist, under these circumstances.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PLT1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-247117

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide clothes that are capable of adjusting the body shape itself with wearing of the clothes without a strong pressing force to the abdomen and further modifying the body shape itself gradually.

Solution to Problem

To solve the above-mentioned problem, clothes having a waist portion of the present invention provided with a body front side fabric consisting of a single ply piece of waist front side fabric 1 and a single ply piece of abdomen fabric 3 and a body back side fabric consisting of a single ply piece of waist back side fabric 2 and a single ply piece of lower back fabric 4, includes a function in which the horizontal contraction distance of the body front side fabric is longer than that of the body back side fabric, with wearing of the clothes.

The clothes further include a crotch fabric 12. The clothes further include a buttock fabric 5. The clothes further include a gluteus action portion 10 in a portion of the buttock fabric 5 that corresponds to a gluteus region of a human body, and the gluteus action portion 10 includes a function in which the horizontal contraction distance is shorter than that of the buttock fabric 5 based on the same width, with wearing of the clothes. The clothes further include a part or all of an upper body fabric. Any of these clothes is preferable.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the clothes of the present invention, without a strong pressing force to the abdomen, a condition for allowing the same mechanism to work as that adjusting the shape of the abdomen after childbirth (hereinafter referred to as “body shape adjustment mechanism”) is adopted to the clothes as a function. Therefore, the present invention can provide clothes having a function to loose abdominal skin, wrinkle the abdomen lightly with wearing of the clothes, and adjust the shape of the wearer's abdomen fundamentally from continuous daily use (or a function to use physiological effect for correcting the body shape itself). Furthermore, a condition for allowing the body shape adjustment mechanism to work in not only the abdomen but also the waist and the buttock can be adopted as a function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the front view of the belly band that is the clothing showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is the back view of the belly band that is the clothing shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is the front view in the state of wearing of the low-cut underwear with a small fabric according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is the back view in the state of wearing of the underwear shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is the front view in the state of wearing a high-cut underwear with a large fabric according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is the back view in the state of wearing the underwear shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is the front view illustrating the underwear provided with the gluteus action portion 10 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is the back view of the underwear shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is the front view illustrating the girdle according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is the back view of the girdle shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is the front view illustrating the girdle provided with the gluteus action portion 10 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is the back view of the girdle shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 shows a filler cloth provided in the abdomen portion of the girdle shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a front view in the state of wearing of the girdle of the prior art.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present inventors have made efforts to study and found that the loose abdomen is closely related to a physical force applied to abdominal skin. Skin has physiological properties that stretch skin when a continuous extensional force (hereinafter referred to as “continuous extensional load”) is applied but not causing pain and otherwise shrink skin when the continuous extensional load decreases.

The physiological properties will be explained as an example of abdominal skin before and after childbirth.

Fetal weight (size) increases inside the body of pregnant women during pregnancy. The increasing of the fetal weight causes a continuous extensional load from the inside of the body to the abdominal skin of pregnant women. Then, abdominal skin is stretched according to physiological properties that stretch skin when a continuous extensional load is applied, and the abdomen is expanded.

Although the abdominal expansion due to fetal influence disappears after childbirth, abdominal skin is still expanded and noticeably loosened. However, the continuous extensional load caused by fetal influence disappears at this time. Then, abdominal skin is shrunk over time according to the physiological properties of skin that shrink it when a continuous extensional load decreases, and the shape of the abdomen is adjusted to that before pregnancy.

Accordingly, the abdomen is temporarily loosened after childbirth. The shape of the abdomen is adjusted over time since the continuous extensional load applied to abdominal skin is decreased. This is a mechanism to adjust the shape of the abdomen after childbirth. The use of the body shape adjustment mechanism similar to this mechanism makes it possible to adjust the body shape fundamentally including abdominal expansion at the time other than pregnancy and the loosened abdomen other than after childbirth. For allowing this body shape adjustment mechanism to work, the decrease of the continuous extensional load applied to abdominal skin is an essential condition.

Another example of a means for adjusting the body shape is orthodontics, which does not use a strong physical pressing force but the physiological properties of bones (osteoclast and osteoblast) that are caused by continuous load applied but not causing pain.

Accordingly, to adjust the body shape by using the physiological properties of the body, continuous load but not causing pain is required to be applied.

Thus, a means for loosening abdominal skin from horizontal direction, wrinkling the abdomen lightly and decreasing the continuous extensional load to abdominal skin is effective. By the adoption of this effective means as a function to clothes, the body shape adjustment mechanism works so that the shape of the abdomen can be adjusted without strongly pressing the muscle of the abdomen or internal organs from continuous daily use, regardless of age or sex. From this viewpoint, in conventional clothes, it is obvious that the continuous extensional load to abdominal skin is not considered.

Then, the present inventors have selected a stretchable fabric that is capable of conforming with the increasing and decreasing of the abdominal girth in accordance with abdominal breathing and the like without strongly pressing the abdomen or excessively tightening the waist, so as not to cause the wearer feel discomfort and pain. The present inventors conceive clothes created by selecting additional fabrics and combining the selected fabrics. Specifically, test pieces are cut from the selected fabrics respectively, a predetermined force is applied to the test pieces, and the extending length of each test piece is measured. Then, the lengths (hereinafter referred to as “contraction distance”) are determined each by subtracting the original lengths of the test pieces before their extension from these measured extending lengths respectively, and the fabrics with different contraction distances are combined. Action is caused by the combination of the fabrics with different contraction distances or by the difference in the contraction distance at each portion of the clothes (, which means that in the case in which the clothes stretches by a constant force when putting on, portions with a long contraction distance extends longer than those with a short contraction distance, in other words, the portion with the longest contraction distance shrinks most with wearing of clothes.) Considering the action and the friction between clothes and skin, the present inventors have found that a means for allowing the body shape adjustment mechanism to work can be adopted to clothes as a function and that the present invention can provide clothes having a function to loose abdominal skin, wrinkle the abdomen lightly, and adjust the shape of the wearer's abdomen fundamentally from continuous daily use, so as to complete the present invention.

Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the attached drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

As described above, the present invention is basically provided with a function in which the horizontal contraction distance of the body front side fabric making up the clothes having a waist portion is longer than that of the body back side fabric, with wearing of the clothes.

The belly band according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is provided with a body front side fabric consisting of the waist front side fabric 1 and the abdomen fabric 3; and a body back side fabric consisting of the waist back side fabric 2 and the lower back fabric 4. The clothes are provided with a function in which the horizontal contraction distance of the body front side fabric is longer than that of the body back side fabric, with wearing of the clothes.

In these clothes, the proper size is determined moderately shorter than the actual abdominal girth of the wearer. Accordingly, wearers select their proper size and stretch the clothes when putting them on. This causes friction between the clothes and the wearer's skin. In addition, the difference, in which the horizontal contraction distance of the body front side fabric close to the abdomen is longer than that of the body back side fabric close to the lower back, with wearing of the clothes, is provided. Accordingly, the degree of the contraction distance with wearing of the clothes is maximized in the body front side fabric close to the abdomen, so that a function to loose abdominal skin more than lower back skin in horizontal direction and wrinkle the abdomen lightly can be provided.

In this way, with wearing of the clothes, abdominal skin is loosened in horizontal direction so that the continuous extensional load to abdominal skin in horizontal direction can be reduced. Then, the properties of skin that shrink it when a continuous extensional load decreases can act to allow the body shape adjustment mechanism to work, cause effect of shrinking abdominal skin, and adjust the shape of the abdomen fundamentally. Accordingly, in the clothes having a waist portion of the present invention, without a strong pressing force to the abdomen, a condition for allowing the body shape adjustment mechanism to work can be adopted to the clothes as a function. Therefore, the present invention can provide clothes having a function to loose abdominal skin, wrinkle the abdomen lightly, and adjust the shape of the wearer's abdomen fundamentally from continuous daily use.

Specifically, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the waist front side fabric 1 and the abdomen fabric 3 are formed of bare jersey (cotton 89% and polyurethane 11%). The fabric is used in the direction in which a difference is made between the horizontal contraction distance and the body axial contraction distance, and the horizontal contraction distance is longer than the body axial contraction distance. Then, the waist front side fabric 1 and the abdomen fabric 3 are sewn to each other so as to form the body front side fabric.

The waist back side fabric 2 is formed of stretchable bare jersey (cotton 89% and polyurethane 11%). This fabric is used in the direction in which a difference is made between the horizontal contraction distance and the body axial contraction distance, and the horizontal contraction distance is longer than the body axial contraction distance. The lower back fabric 4 is formed of the fabric used by the abdomen fabric 3. This fabric is rotated by 90 degrees to be used in the direction in which the body axial contraction distance is longer than the horizontal contraction distance. Then, the waist back side fabric 2 and the lower back fabric 4 are sewn to each other so as to form the body back side fabric. The body front side fabric and the body back side fabric are sewn together along the intermediate line approximately halfway between the front side and the back side of the wearer.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the waist front side fabric 1, the abdomen fabric 3, the waist back side fabric 2, and the lower back fabric 4 are formed of the same fabric. Only for the lower back fabric 4, the fabric is rotated by 90 degrees to be used in the direction in which the body axial contraction distance is longer than the horizontal contraction distance. The clothes are provided with a function in which the horizontal contraction distance of the body front side fabric is longer than that of the body back side fabric, with wearing of the clothes. However, unstretchable yarn may be sewn or woven, unstretchable fabric may be sewn partially, or fabrics with different contraction distances may be used. To have the end result, it is only necessary to provide a function in which the horizontal contraction distance of the body front side fabric is longer than that of the body back side fabric, with wearing of the clothes.

In addition, as long as the clothes are provided with a function in which the horizontal contraction distance of the body front side fabric is longer than that of the body back side fabric, with wearing of the clothes, in accordance with application, design, and the like, the waist front side fabric 1 may be extended in body axial direction, and the abdomen fabric 3 may be narrowed in body axial direction; the waist back side fabric 2 may be extended in body axial direction, and the lower back fabric 4 may be narrowed in body axial direction; the waist front side fabric 1 and the waist back side fabric 2 may not have the same axial length; the abdomen fabric 3 and the lower back fabric 4 may not have the same axial length; or the body front side fabric and the body back side fabric may not have the same axial length. The body axial seaming position may lean to the front or the back.

The shape of the clothes is cylindrical in this embodiment. However, as long as the clothes are provided with a function in which the horizontal contraction distance of the body front side fabric is longer than that of the body back side fabric, with wearing of the clothes, it is not limited to cylindrical shape in accordance with application and design. In accordance with application, design, and the like, a button, a fastener, a hook and loop fastener, and the like may be used.

In the first embodiment applying present invention to a belly band, the above-mentioned materials are used. However, materials with superior air permeability, softness, heat retainability, durability, and the like are preferable as constituent material. For example, such materials include chemical fiber such as nylon and natural fiber such as silk or linen. These are illustrative but not restrictive. In accordance with application, design, and the like, materials such as plastic and metal may be used.

Next, another embodiment applying the present invention to underwear with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 will be explained.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, to distinguish “clothing” and “human body” portions, “human body” is represented by dashed lines.

The low-cut underwear with a small fabric according to the another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, is provided with a function in which the body axial contraction distance of the lower back fabric 4 of the belly band according to the first embodiment of the present invention is longer than that of the waist back side fabric 2 based on the same width, with wearing of the low-cut underwear. The low-cut underwear has a structure provided with the crotch fabric 12 formed by sewing the crotch portions of the fabrics. Since the lower back fabric 4 covers the buttock of the human body, it may be referred to as the buttock fabric 5.

In FIG. 3 illustrating the front side of the low-cut underwear with a small fabric according to this embodiment of the present invention, the reference sign 1 represents the waist front side fabric, the reference sign 3 represents the abdomen fabric, and the reference sign 12 represents the crotch fabric. In FIG. 4 illustrating the back side, the reference sign 2 represents the waist back side fabric, the reference sign 4 represents the lower back fabric, and the reference sign 5 represents the buttock fabric.

The body front side fabric consists of the waist front side fabric 1 and the abdomen fabric 3, which are sewn to each other. The body back side fabric consists of the waist back side fabric 2 and the lower back fabric 4 (buttock fabric 5), which are sewn to each other. The left and right of the waist front side fabric 1 are sewn to the right and left of the waist back side fabric 2 respectively, and in the same way the abdomen fabric 3 is sewn to the buttock fabric 5. These seams correspond to the intermediate line approximately halfway between the front side and the back side of the wearer. The crotch fabric 12 is formed by sewing the crotch portions of the fabrics. Through the waist front side fabric 1 and the waist back side fabric 2, a rubber band (not shown) is passed.

In another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the waist front side fabric 1, the waist back side fabric 2, and the abdomen fabric 3 are formed by using bare jersey (cotton 89% and polyurethane 11%). The fabric is used in the direction in which a difference is made between the horizontal contraction distance and the body axial contraction distance, and the horizontal contraction distance is longer than the body axial contraction distance. For the lower back fabric 4 (buttock fabric 5), the fabric used in the abdomen fabric 3 is rotated by 90 degrees to be used in the direction in which the body axial contraction distance is longer than the horizontal contraction distance. The clothes are formed with the structure in which the body axial contraction distance of the lower back fabric 4 is longer than that of the waist back side fabric 2 based on the same width, with wearing of the clothes. The crotch fabric 12 is formed of cotton material with superior air permeability.

In the low-cut underwear with a small fabric according to the another embodiment of the present invention, the waist front side fabric 1, the waist back side fabric 2, or the lower back fabric 4 are not located in the waist front side, the waist back side, or the lower back of the human body. The abdomen fabric 3 or the buttock fabric 5 does not cover the entire abdomen or the entire buttock of the human body.

As just described, even if the names of portions of the clothes do not correspond to those of the body in accordance with application, design, and the like, as long as provided with a function in which the horizontal contraction distance of the body front side fabric is longer than that of the body back side fabric, with wearing of the clothes, the clothes can adopt a condition for allowing the body shape adjustment mechanism to work as a function and can be provided with a function to loose abdominal skin, wrinkle the abdomen lightly, and adjust the shape of the wearer's abdomen fundamentally from continuous daily use.

In another embodiment applying the present invention to underwear, the above-mentioned materials are used. However, materials with superior air permeability, softness, heat retainability, durability, and the like are preferable as constituent material. For example, such materials include chemical fiber such as nylon and natural fiber such as silk or linen. These are illustrative but not restrictive as in the above-mentioned case. The same holds for the following description about materials.

Next, the third embodiment applying the present invention to underwear with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 will be explained. In FIGS. 5 and 6, to distinguish “clothing” and “human body” portions, “human body” is represented by dashed lines.

The underwear according to another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a low-cut underwear with a small fabric. The underwear according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is high-cut underwear with a large fabric.

In FIG. 5 illustrating the front side of the underwear according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the reference sign 1 represents the waist front side fabric, the reference sign 3 represents the abdomen fabric, and the reference sign 12 represents the crotch fabric. In FIG. 6 illustrating the back side, the reference sign 2 represents the waist back side fabric, the reference sign 4 represents the lower back fabric, and the reference sign 5 represents the buttock fabric. The body front side fabric consists of the waist front side fabric 1 and the abdomen fabric 3, which are sewn to each other. The body back side fabric consists of the waist back side fabric 2 and the lower back fabric 4, which are sewn to each other. The crotch fabric 5 is formed by sewing the crotch portions of the fabrics. The left and right of the waist front side fabric 1 are sewn to the right and left of the waist back side fabric 2 respectively, and in the same way the abdomen fabric 3 is sewn to the buttock fabric 5. These seams correspond to the intermediate line approximately halfway between the front side and the back side of the wearer. The crotch fabric 12 is formed by sewing the crotch portions of the fabrics. Through the waist front side fabric 1 and the waist back side fabric 2, a rubber band (not shown) is passed. In the present invention, the same fabric as that used in the above-mentioned another embodiment is used in the same way.

In the high-cut underwear with a large fabric according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the waist front side fabric 1 of the low-cut underwear with a small fabric shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is extended in the body axial direction to cover the waist front side of the human body. In addition, the abdomen fabric 3 is extended in body axial direction to cover the abdomen of the human body, the waist back side fabric 2 is extended in body axial direction to cover the waist back side of the human body, and the buttock fabric 5 is extended in body axial direction to cover the buttock of the human body. Furthermore, the lower back fabric 4 is extended in body axial and horizontal directions to cover the waist of the human body.

As just described, even if the contraction distance is increased and decreased at the portions of the clothes in accordance with application, design, and the like, as long as provided with a function in which the horizontal contraction distance of the body front side fabric is longer than that of the body back side fabric, with wearing of the clothes, the clothes can adopt a condition for allowing body shape adjustment mechanism to work as a function and can be provided with a function to loose abdominal skin, wrinkle the abdomen lightly, and adjust the shape of the wearer's abdomen fundamentally from continuous daily use.

In the third embodiment applying the present invention to underwear, the above-mentioned materials are used. However, materials with superior air permeability, softness, heat retainability, durability, and the like are preferable as constituent material. For example, such materials include chemical fiber such as nylon and natural fiber such as silk or linen. These are illustrative but not restrictive.

Next, the fourth embodiment applying the present invention to underwear with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 will be explained.

The underwear provided with the gluteus action portion 10 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 has a structure provided with a function in which the body axial contraction distance of the lower back fabric 4 is longer than that of the west back side fabric 2 for the same width, with wearing of the underwear; in a portion of the buttock fabric 5 that corresponds to the gluteus region of the human body, the gluteus action portion 10 provided with a function in which the horizontal contraction distance is shorter than that of the buttock fabric 5 based on the same width, with wearing of the underwear; and a function in which the horizontal contraction distance of the gluteus action portion 10 is shorter than the body axial contraction distance based on the same width, with wearing of the underwear.

In FIG. 7 illustrating the front side of the underwear according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the reference sign 1 represents the waist front side fabric, the reference sign 3 represents the abdomen fabric, and the reference sign 12 represents the crotch fabric. In FIG. 8 illustrating the back side, the reference sign 2 represents the waist back side fabric, the reference sign 4 represents the lower back fabric, the reference sign 5 represents the buttock fabric, and the reference sign 10 represents the gluteus action portion.

The body front side fabric consists of the waist front side fabric 1 and the abdomen fabric 3, which are sewn to each other. The body back side fabric consists of the waist back side fabric 2 and the lower back fabric 4, which are sewn to each other. The crotch fabric 5 is formed by sewing the crotch portions of the fabrics. The left and right of the waist front side fabric 1 are sewn to the right and left of the waist back side fabric 2 respectively, and in the same way the abdomen fabric 3 is sewn to the buttock fabric 5 along the intermediate line approximately halfway between the front side and the back side of the wearer. The crotch fabric 12 is formed by sewing the crotch portions of the fabrics. In a portion of the buttock fabric 5 that corresponds to the gluteus region of the human body, the gluteus action portion 10 provided with a function in which the horizontal contraction distance is shorter than that of the buttock fabric 5 based on the same width, with wearing of the underwear. Through the waist front side fabric 1 and the waist back side fabric 2, a rubber band (not shown) is passed.

In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the waist front side fabric 1, the waist back side fabric 2, and the abdomen fabric 3 are formed by using stretchable bare jersey (cotton 89% and polyurethane 11%). The fabric is used in the direction in which a difference is made between the horizontal contraction distance and the body axial contraction distance, and the horizontal contraction distance is longer than the body axial contraction distance. For the lower back fabric 4, the fabric used in the abdomen fabric 3 is rotated by 90 degrees to be used in the direction in which the body axial contraction distance is longer than the horizontal contraction distance. The clothes are formed, in which the body axial contraction distance of the lower back fabric 4 is longer than that of the waist back side fabric 2 based on the same width, with wearing of the clothes.

In the buttock fabric 5, the fabric used for the lower back fabric 4 is used. In the gluteus action portion 10, lace fabric having a body axial-extensible function that is equal to that of the lower back fabric 4 but not having a horizontal-extensible function is used and provided in contact with the lower side of the buttock fabric 5 from around coccyx to the position connected with a part of the abdomen fabric 3. The crotch fabric 12 is formed of cotton material with superior air permeability.

In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the start point of the gluteus action portion 10 is around coccyx, and the end point is a part of the abdomen fabric 3. However, the start point and the end point may be in the buttock fabric 5. Accordingly, the body shape adjustment mechanism can more suitably work for the local of the wearer's buttock.

In addition, as long as the clothes are provided with a function in which the horizontal contraction distance of the body front side fabric is longer than that of the body back side fabric, with wearing of the clothes, the start point and the end point of the gluteus action portion 10 may not be limited within the buttock fabric 5, or the lower side of the gluteus action portion 10 may not contact with the lower side of the buttock fabric 5. It is preferable that a pair of the gluteus action portions 10 be provided at a symmetric position as the fourth embodiment of the present invention. However, two or more pairs or no pairs of the gluteus action portions may be provided. As long as provided with a function in which the horizontal contraction distance is shorter than that of the buttock fabric 5 based on the same width, with wearing of the clothes, the gluteus action portion 10 may have any shape, position, and the like in accordance with application, design, and the like.

In the fourth embodiment applying the present invention to underwear, the above-mentioned materials are used. However, materials with superior air permeability, softness, heat retainability, durability, and the like are preferable as constituent material. For example, such materials include chemical fiber such as nylon and natural fiber such as silk or linen. These are illustrative but not restrictive.

Next, the fifth embodiment applying the present invention to a girdle with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 will be explained.

In the girdle according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the body front side fabric is divided by the body axial length into a lower portion of the abdomen front side fabric 6 a and an upper portion of the abdomen front side fabric 6 b. The girdle has a structure provided with a function in which the horizontal contraction distance of the lower portion of the abdomen front side fabric 6 a is shorter than that of the upper portion of the abdomen front side fabric 6 b, with wearing of the girdle. The girdle has a structure not provided with a horizontal-extensible function in the entire body back side fabric or a part of the body front side fabric. The parting line is not shown in FIG. 9, but the body front side fabric can be divided by the body axial length at a proper position.

In FIG. 9 illustrating the girdle according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the reference sign 6 represents the abdomen front side fabric (most of the waist front side fabric and most of the abdomen fabric 3); the reference sign 6 a represents the abdomen front side fabric lower portion; the reference sign 6 b represents the abdomen front side fabric upper portion; the reference sign 7 represents a flank fabric (a part of the abdomen fabric 3); the reference sign 11 represents a leg fabric; and the reference sign 12 represents the crotch fabric. In FIG. 10 illustrating the back side of the girdle shown in FIG. 9, the reference sign 5 represents the buttock fabric, the reference sign 8 represents a back fabric (most of the waist back side fabric 2 and most of the lower back fabric 4), the reference sign 9 represents a back outside fabric (a part of the waist back side fabric 2 and a part of the lower back fabric 4), the reference sign 11 represents a leg fabric.

The abdomen front side fabric 6 consisting of most of the waist front side fabric 1 and most of the abdomen fabric 3 is formed of warp-knitted fabric in which polyurethane (elastic fiber) yarn is used as warp yarn and knitted with nylon yarn having an moderate extensible-function, being provided with a horizontal-extensible function. The back fabric 8 consisting of most of the waist back side fabric 2 and most of the lower back fabric 4; the buttock fabric 5; the flank fabric 7; and the back outside fabric 9 consisting of a part of the waist back side fabric 2 and a part of the lower back fabric 4 are formed of twill fabric with cotton yarn and have a structure not provided with an extensible function.

Therefore, the abdomen front side fabric 6 having an extensible function has a structure provided with a function in which the horizontal contraction distance is longer than any of those of the back fabric 8, the buttock fabric 5, the flank fabric 7, and the back outside fabric 9 that do not have an extensible function, with wearing of the girdle.

The abdomen front side fabric 6 has a trapezoidal shape, the upper side of which is longer than the lower side. The body front side fabric is divided equally by the body axial length into the abdomen front side fabric lower portion 6 a and the abdomen front side fabric upper portion 6 b. The abdomen front side fabric 6 has a structure provided with a function in which the horizontal contraction distance of the abdomen front side fabric lower portion 6 a is shorter than that of the abdomen front side fabric upper portion 6 b, with wearing of the girdle.

The crotch fabric 12 of the girdle according to the present invention is formed of cotton material with superior air permeability. The leg fabric 11 is formed of warp-knitted fabric with polyurethane fitting to the wearer's femoral region without causing the wearer to feel discomfort.

In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the abdomen front side fabric 6 is formed of fabric with no differences in the horizontal contraction distance between the lower and the upper sides. The abdomen front side fabric 6 has a trapezoidal shape, the upper side of which is longer than the lower side. The abdomen front side fabric 6 has a structure provided with a function in which the horizontal contraction distance of the lower portion of the abdomen front side fabric 6 a is shorter than that of the upper portion of the abdomen front side fabric 6 b, with wearing of the girdle. However, the fabric with a difference in the horizontal contraction distance between the lower and the upper sides can be used. To have the end result, it is only necessary to provide a structure provided with a function in which the horizontal contraction distance of the lower portion of the abdomen front side fabric 6 a is shorter than that of the upper portion of the abdomen front side fabric 6 b, with wearing of the girdle.

In order to have a structure in which the entire body back side fabric or a part of the body front side fabric are not provided with a horizontal-extensible function, the body back side fabric and a part of the body front side fabric are formed of twill fabric with cotton yarn and have a structure not provided with an extensible function. These are illustrative but not restrictive. To have the end result, it is only necessary not to provide a horizontal-extensible function in all or a part of the body back side fabric or a part of the body front side fabric.

The leg fabric 11 may have any length, for example down to the above-knee, the below-knee, the ankle, or the tiptoe, in accordance with application, design, and the like. In the fifth embodiment, the clothes contact with the wearer's abdomen but may not necessarily contact with the waist, the buttock, the crotch or the legs in accordance with application and design.

In the fifth embodiment applying the present invention to a girdle, the above-mentioned materials are used. However, materials with superior air permeability, softness, heat retainability, durability, and the like are preferable as constituent material. For example, such materials include chemical fiber such as nylon and natural fiber such as silk or linen. These are illustrative but not restrictive.

Next, the sixth embodiment applying the present invention to a girdle with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 will be explained.

The girdle according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, is provided with a function in which the body axial contraction distance of the lower back fabric 4 is longer than that of the waist back side fabric 2 for the same width, with wearing of the girdle; a body axial antiskid function in the inner face of the body front side fabric with wearing of the girdle; no horizontal-extensible functions in a part of the body back side fabric; in a portion of the buttock fabric 5 that corresponds to the gluteus region of the human body, the gluteus action portion 10 provided with a function in which the horizontal contraction distance is shorter than that of the buttock fabric 5 based on the same width, with wearing of the girdle; and a function in which the horizontal contraction distance of the gluteus action portion 10 is shorter than the body axial contraction distance based on the same width, with wearing of the underwear.

In FIG. 11 illustrating the girdle according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the reference sign 1 represents the waist front side fabric, the reference sign 3 represents the abdomen fabric, the reference sign 11 represents the leg fabric, and the reference sign 12 represents the crotch fabric. In FIG. 12 illustrating the back side of the girdle shown in FIG. 11, the reference sign 2 represents the waist back side fabric, the reference sign 4 represents the lower back fabric, the reference sign 5 represents the buttock fabric, the reference sign 10 represents the gluteus action portion, and the reference sign 11 represents the leg fabric. The waist front side fabric 1 and the abdomen fabric 3 are formed by using nylon bare jersey (nylon 85% and polyurethane 15%), in which a difference is made between the horizontal contraction distance and the body axial contraction distance. The fabric is used in the direction in which the horizontal contraction distance is longer than the body axial contraction distance. In the inner face of the abdomen fabric 3, stretchable fabric (FIG. 13), which is processed to have body axial roughness by knitting yarn having stretch properties with stretchable fabric in a large ridge form, is used as filler cloth. The filler cloth in the inner face of the abdomen fabric 3 has better stretch properties in horizontal and body axial directions than the abdomen fabric 3.

In the waist back side fabric 2, cotton yarn without stretch properties is sewn into stretchable nylon bare jersey (nylon 85% and polyurethane 15%) fabric, and the difference in the horizontal contraction distance is relatively provided. The lower back fabric 4 and the buttock fabric 5 are formed with the fabric used in the abdomen fabric 3 rotated by 90 degrees to be used in the direction in which the body axial contraction distance is longer than the horizontal contraction distance. In the gluteus action portion 10, lace fabric having a body axial-extensible function that is equal to that of the lower back fabric 4 but not having a horizontal-extensible function is used and provided in the position connected with the abdomen fabric 3, in contact with the lower side of the buttock fabric 5 but not around coccyx.

The crotch fabric 12 of the girdle according to the present invention is formed of cotton material with superior air permeability. The leg fabric 11 is formed of fabric with polyurethane fitting to the wearer's femoral region without causing the wearer to feel discomfort.

In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the stretchable fabric (FIG. 13), which is processed to have body axial roughness by knitting yarn having stretch properties with stretchable fabric in a large ridge form, is used as filler cloth in the inner face of the abdomen fabric 3 and is provided with a body axial antiskid function. However, an elastic tape with polyurethane barely formed at equally-spaced intervals in body axial direction may be used as the body axial antiskid function to form the inner face of the body front side fabric. The post-process of jellifying and putting silicone or the like on a fabric surface or an elastic tape at equal intervals in body axial direction and drying them with hot air may be preformed into the inner face of the body front side fabric.

The portion provided with these is not limited, within the inner face of the abdomen fabric 3. This portion may be provided in the inner face of the waist front side fabric 1 or may be in the outer face of the body front side fabric or the inside if the body front side fabric has a multilayer structure. To have the end result, it is only necessary to provide a body axial antiskid function in a part or all of the body front side fabric with wearing of the girdle.

In addition, in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, a clear crotch fabric 12 is provided but may not be provided in accordance with application and design as long as the clothes cover the crotch of the human body. In accordance with application and design, a button, a fastener, a hook and loop fastener, and the like may be used.

In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the gluteus action portion 10 does not contact with coccyx, and the start point of the gluteus action portion 10 is the lower side of the buttock fabric 5, and the end point is a part of the waist fabric 4. However, the start point and the end point may be in the buttock fabric 5 in accordance with application, design, and the like. In addition, as long as the clothes are provided with a function in which the horizontal contraction distance of the body front side fabric is longer than that of the body back side fabric, with wearing of the clothes, the start point and the end point of the gluteus action portion 10 may not be limited within the buttock fabric 5, or the lower side of the gluteus action portion 10 may not contact with the lower side of the buttock fabric 5. It is preferable that a pair of the gluteus action portions 10 be provided at a symmetric position as the fourth embodiment of the present invention. However, two or more pairs or no pairs of the gluteus action portions may be provided. As long as the clothes are provided with a function in which the horizontal contraction distance is shorter than that of the buttock fabric 5 based on the same width, with wearing of the clothes, the shape, the position, and the like may be selected optionally in accordance with application, design, and the like.

In the sixth embodiment applying the present invention to a girdle, the above-mentioned materials are used. However, materials with superior air permeability, softness, heat retainability, durability, and the like are preferable as constituent material. For example, such materials include chemical fiber such as nylon and natural fiber such as silk or linen. These are illustrative but not restrictive.

All the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-12 are provided with the fundamental structure of the present invention. Accordingly, in the clothes having a waist portion of the present invention, without a strong pressing force to the abdomen, a condition for allowing the body shape adjustment mechanism to work can be adopted to the clothes as a function. Therefore, the present invention can provide clothes having a function to loose abdominal skin, wrinkle the abdomen lightly, and adjust the shape of the wearer's abdomen from continuous daily use.

The clothes to be worn in contact as mentioned herein are not limited to those in directly contact with the surface of the wearer's body but include those in contact with the body through other underwear.

The vertical direction in the standing position is referred to as “body axial direction” herein. The foot-to-head direction is referred to as “upper direction” herein. The direction at 90 degrees to body axial direction is referred to as “horizontal direction” herein. The body fabric without wearing of the clothes is divided equally into the abdomen side and the waist side. The abdomen side is referred to as “body front side fabric”, and the waist side is referred to as “body back side fabric” herein.

The waist front side fabric 1, the waist back side fabric 2, the abdomen fabric 3, the lower back fabric 4, the buttock fabric 5, and the crotch fabric 12, which form the clothes, are defined as follows. When the upper side of the body fabric of the clothes is located in the wearer's upper abdomen, in the body front side fabric the portion located in the wearer's upper abdomen is referred to as the waist front side fabric 1, and the portion located in the lower abdomen is referred to as the abdomen fabric 3. In the design and the like for creating the clothes, when the upper side of the body fabric is not located in the wearer's upper abdomen, when the waist front side fabric 1 is unclear, or the like, the portion that is located in the upper portion of the body fabric and causes inconvenience for maintaining the point for wearing of the body fabric if this portion is removed is referred to as the waist front side fabric 1. The portion in which the waist front side fabric 1 is removed from the body front side fabric is referred to as the abdomen fabric 3. The body axial position or the width of these portions is not the same in accordance with design and the like.

The portion that is located in the body back side fabric and corresponds to the waist front side fabric 1 is referred to as the waist back side fabric 2. The portion that is located in the body back side fabric and corresponds to the abdomen fabric 3 is referred to as the lower back fabric 4. The portions located in the buttock and the crotch of the wearer is referred to as the buttock fabric 5 and the crotch fabric 12 respectively.

In the present invention, nothing but clothes is envisaged. However, the names of portions of the clothes may not correspond to those of the body in accordance with the type and the like of clothes. To avoid the confusion of the portions of clothes and the body, the term “fabric” is added for clothes herein. However, in accordance with application and design, materials such as plastic and metal which are different from fabric may be used. Examples

The result of the trial test for underwear shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 will be explained. In this trial test, 14 subjects from 10's to 60's who were selected from outside the company wore the sample underwear with the structure equal to that of the underwear shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 on the underwear, stocking, and the like that the subjects were already wearing. The wearing feelings whether or not the abdomen was strongly pressed, whether or not the waist was excessively tightened, and the like were surveyed. The changes in the shapes of the abdomen and the buttock were checked in a mirror by the subjects themselves. To compare the change in the positions of the buttock with and without wearing of the sample underwear, the subjects stood with their back in contact with a wall and checked the position of the buttock in contact with a wall by their own feelings.

In this trial test, for the purpose of survey for the wearing feeling of the sample underwear, the trial test was performed without informing the subjects details about the function of the sample underwear.

As a result of this trial test, at the time of wearing of the sample underwear (before using a mirror and a wall), 3 out of 14 subjects answered “The change in the shape of the buttock was felt.”

For the wearing feeling of the sample underwear, each of the subjects answered “No pressure to the abdomen was felt.” (14 out of 14), “No pressure to the waist was felt.” (14 out of 14), and “No pressure to the lower back was felt.” (14 out of 14). As the result of checking the change in position of the buttock in contact with a wall, some of the subject answered “The position of the buttock in contact with a wall is lifted.” (12 out of 14), and “No changes were felt.” (2 out of 14). When the subjects took off the sample underwear after the trial test was finished, the subjects checked the position of the buttock in contact with a wall again and then answered “The position of the buttock in contact with a wall is lowered.” (14 out of 14).

The result of the trial test for the underwear shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 will be explained. In this trial test, 4 subjects from 30's to 60's, three of whom were selected inside the company, one of whom was selected from the outside, had continuously used the sample underwear with the structure equal to that of the underwear shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 for four months. The wearing feelings whether or not the abdomen was been strongly pressed, whether or not the waist was excessively tightened, and the like, and the change of the body shape due to continuing use were surveyed.

As the result of this trial test, for the wearing feeling of the sample underwear, each of the subjects answered “No pressure to the abdomen was felt.” (4 out of 4), “NO pressure to the waist was felt.” (4 out of 4), and “NO pressure to the lower back was felt.” (4 out of 4). For the change of the body to shape due to continuing use, “The change in the shape of the abdomen can be realized.” (3 out of 4), “The change in the shape of the waist can be realized.” (4 out of 4), “The change in the shape of the buttock can be realized.” (3 out of 4), and “The change of the body shape is pointed out from the people around.” (4 out of 4).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In the present invention, considering the action caused by the difference of the contraction distance with wearing of the clothes and the friction between clothes and skin without a strong pressing force to the abdomen, a continuous extensional load to abdominal skin in horizontal direction is reduced, and a condition for enhancing the physiological properties of skin that shrink it when a continuous extensional load decreases and allowing the body shape adjustment mechanism to work is adopted to the clothes as a function. Accordingly, the present invention can provide clothes with a function to loose abdominal skin and wrinkle the abdomen lightly and adjust not only the loose abdomen after childbirth and caused by extreme weight loss but also the shape of the wearer's abdomen fundamentally from continued daily use. Furthermore, the present invention can adopt a condition for allowing the body shape adjustment mechanism to work in not only the abdomen but also the waist and the buttock to the clothes as a function. Therefore, the present invention greatly contributes to the apparel industry.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1 Waist front side fabric

2 Waist back side fabric

3 Abdomen fabric

4 Lower back fabric

5 Buttock fabric

6 Abdomen front side fabric (most of the waist front side fabric 1 and most of the abdomen fabric 3)

6 a Lower portion of abdomen front side fabric

6 b Upper portion of abdomen front side fabric

7 Flank fabric (a part of the abdomen fabric 3)

8 Back fabric (most of the waist back side fabric 2 and most of the lower back fabric 4)

9 Back outside fabric (a part of the waist back side fabric 2 and a part of the lower back fabric 4)

10 Gluteus action portion

11 Leg fabric

12 Crotch fabric

21, 22 Stretchable abdomen lining fabric 

1: Clothes having a waist portion provided with a body front side fabric consisting of a single ply piece of waist front side fabric and a single ply piece of an abdomen fabric and a body back side fabric consisting of a single ply piece of waist back side fabric and a single ply piece of lower back fabric, comprising a function in which the horizontal contraction distance of the body front side fabric is longer than that of the body back side fabric, with wearing of the clothes, wherein a stretchable fabric being capable of conforming with the increasing and decreasing of the abdominal girth in accordance with abdominal breathing and the like is used to set the contraction distance for loosening and lightly wrinkling abdominal skin, decrease a continuous extensional load to abdominal skin from continuing use, and work a body shape adjustment mechanism of a body. 2-5. (canceled) 